Compare 28 Architecture. programs in the South. Average earnings: $57,138.
With top graduates earning $66,363, Architecture stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $9K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Auburn University's Architecture program leads with graduates earning $66,363, followed closely by Kennesaw State at $64,348. Against a regional average of $57,138, these results demonstrate that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation—regional publics compete directly with flagship institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Virginia graduates borrow $17,500 and face just a 6.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, UT Arlington leads with a 12.0% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $66,363 | 63 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Challenging |
| #2 | $64,348 | 44 | $23,833 | Excellent | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $63,218 | 87 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $63,208 | 26 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $62,697 | 22 | $22,142 | Excellent | $25,567 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $62,308 | 37 | $23,548 | Good | $16,223 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $62,269 | 21 | $20,500 | Excellent | $33,574 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $60,466 | 63 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $60,340 | 45 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $60,289 | 26 | $17,236 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $60,257 | 114 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $59,952 | 53 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $59,586 | 61 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,809 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $58,728 | 51 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Manageable | |
| #15 | University Of HoustonPublic | $58,472 | 73 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #16 | $58,215 | 46 | $26,000 | Good | $50,215 | High | |
| #17 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $58,212 | 57 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | Challenging |
| #18 | $58,085 | 32 | $21,672 | Good | $32,216 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $57,513 | 75 | $21,500 | Good | $35,463 | Challenging |
| #20 | Morgan State UniversityPublic | $55,263 | 42 | $27,250 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging |
| #21 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $54,109 | 113 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #22 | University Of FloridaPublic | $54,050 | 88 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #23 | $51,200 | 35 | $27,000 | Manageable | $16,012 | Challenging | |
| #24 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $50,683 | 36 | $22,500 | Good | $30,006 | High |
| #25 | $49,019 | 30 | $20,121 | Good | $23,000 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
